Directional Pad Rotating Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A game console controller characterized with a function for adjusting the key angles and key arrangements is disclosed. The game console controller comprises a main body configured to be held by a player performing a game, a plurality of operational input parts arranged on the main body, and a plurality of arrangement changing parts for changing the arrangement of the plurality of operational input parts. The plurality of operational input parts and the plurality of arrangement changing parts are configured to adjust keys and key angles of the game console controller to provide an ease of use to the player. The game console controller allows the player to change the arrangements of the keys in accordance with the differences in the size of the hands, length and thickness of the fingers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a play station controller, and moreparticularly to an improved controller used for game play with a gameconsole, with which the angles of keys can be adjusted.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Conventionally, when playing games using a game console, it is common tohold a controller which is connected to the game console and play thegame by operating keys provided on the controller. Standard game consolecontrollers are generally designed by a maker, and have a fixed shape.The users who hold these uniformly designed controllers have entirelydifferent body types and habits. For example, in terms of body type,there will be differences in the size of the hands, and the length andthickness of the fingers, while in terms of habits, there will bedifferences in the way in which the controller is held, as well as inthe particular fingers and the specific parts of the fingers with whichthe keys and buttons are pressed.

U.S. Pat. Application No. 20100041480 entitled to Wong on Feb. 18, 2010,describes a game console controller that includes a hand-holdablehousing and a touch sensitive liquid crystal display (LCD) on thehousing. The LCD is caused to present, depending on what type of gameconsole a user has selected, a controller key layout for a first type ofgame console or a controller key layout for a second type of gameconsole. A key layout includes plural keys selectable by a user to inputcommands to a game console. However, the plural keys cannot be adjustedor rearranged according to the needs of the user. Further, the structureand arrangement of controller will not necessarily be suitable for everyuser.

In addition, U.S. Pat. Application No. 20090280899 issued to Cox on Nov.12, 2009,discloses a method and system for utilizing a game console andan input device. The method and system comprises mapping commands tosystem directives of the game console and generating an input signalhaving predefined characteristics corresponding to the input devicebeing utilized to engage the system directives. The method and systemalso includes performing system functions using an input controllerassociated with the input device after the system directives areengaged. However, this system does not disclose any method for adjustingthe angles and arrangements of various components.

Similarly, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,984 issued to Sweeney onApr. 20, 2004 discloses a hand-held controller having a plurality ofconsole command buttons that, in response to activation, cause thetransmission of commands for the purpose of controlling the operation ofa video game console. Parental control is provided by preventing thetransmission of commands to the video game console in response toactivation of a console command button as a function of a parentalcontrol parameter that is provided to the hand-held controller. However,the system is not user friendly. Moreover, the arrangement of the keyscannot be changed in accordance with the needs of the user.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that provides a user friendlygame console controller. Such a needed device would allow the player tochange the arrangements of the keys in accordance with the differencesin the size of the hands, length and thickness of the fingers. Thedevice would not require any additional means for adjusting the angle orthe inclination of the key according to the player's need. The presentinvention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a game console controller characterized by afunction for adjusting the angle of a key arranged on the controller.More specifically, the game console controller is as follows. The gameconsole controller comprises a main body configured to be held by aplayer performing a game, a plurality of operational input partsarranged on the main body, and a plurality of arrangement changing partsfor changing the arrangement of the plurality of operational inputparts. The plurality of operational input parts and the plurality ofarrangement changing parts are configured to adjust keys and key anglesof the game console controller to provide an ease of use to the player.

The plurality of operational input parts comprises a cross key means, abutton means and an analog stick means. The plurality of operationalinput parts are arranged on the main body. The cross key means isconfigured for generating operation information in the up, down, leftand right cross key directions. The button means consists of a pluralityof buttons to generate operational information. The analog stick meansis configured for direction specifying operations. The plurality ofoperational input parts is configured to be operated by a finger of theplayer.

The plurality of arrangement changing parts comprises a cross changingmeans, a button changing means and a standing orientation changingmeans. The cross changing means whereby the up, down, left and rightpushing operation positions of the cross key means can be changed by wayof in-plane rotation around the approximate center of the cross keymeans. The button changing means is configured to change the arrangementof the plurality of buttons by way of in-plane rotation around theapproximate center of the plurality of buttons. The plurality ofoperational input parts comprises an analog stick means that is operatedby way of the direction in which the stick is inclined so as to performinput in any direction through 360°, around a neutral position, which isa no-operation position; and the plurality of arrangement changing partscomprises a standing orientation changing means that changes thestanding orientation of the stick in the neutral position, which is theno-operation position, with respect to the main body.

The present invention provides a user friendly game console controller.Such a needed device would allow the player to change the arrangementsof the keys in accordance with the differences in the size of the hands,length and thickness of the fingers. Further, the device does notrequire any additional means for adjusting the angle or the inclinationof the key according to the player's need. Other features and advantagesof the present invention will become apparent from the following moredetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating agame console controller in accordance with a first mode of embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating anexample of adjusting the angles of operational input parts on the gameconsole controller in accordance with the first mode of embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating anexample of adjusting the angle of a cross means on the game consolecontroller in accordance with the first mode of embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating anexample of a characteristic portion of the internal structure of a crosschanging means in the game console controller in accordance with thefirst mode of embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating an example of adjusting theangle of a button means on the game console controller in accordancewith the first mode of embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating an example of acharacteristic portion of the internal structure of a button changingmeans in the game console controller in accordance with the first modeof embodiment;

FIG. 5A is an perspective view illustrating an example of adjusting theangle of a standing orientation means on the game console controller inaccordance with the first mode of embodiment; and

FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of acharacteristic portion of the internal structure of a standingorientation changing means in the game console controller in accordancewith the first mode of embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating agame console controller in accordance with a first mode of embodiment.The game console controller comprises a main body 101 configured to beheld by a player performing a game, a plurality of operational inputparts (0102, 0103, 0104) arranged on the main body 101, and a pluralityof arrangement changing parts (0105, 0106, 0107) for changing thearrangement of the plurality of operational input parts (0102, 0103,0104). The plurality of operational input parts and the plurality ofarrangement changing parts are configured to adjust keys and key anglesof the game console controller to provide an ease of use to the player.The game console controller is provided with a function whereby thearrangements of each of these means can be changed.

The plurality of operational input parts comprises a cross key means0102, a button means 0103 and an analog stick means 0104. The pluralityof operational input parts are arranged on the main body 0101. The crosskey means 0102 is configured for generating operation information in theup, down, left and right cross key directions. The button means 0103consists of a plurality of buttons to generate operational information.The analog stick means 0104 is configured for direction specifyingoperations. The plurality of operational input parts (0102, 0103, 0104)is configured to be operated by a finger of the player.

The plurality of arrangement changing parts comprises a cross changingmeans 0105, a button changing means 0106 and a standing orientationchanging means 0107. The cross changing means 0105 may be used to changethe up, down, left and right pushing operation positions of the crosskey means 0102 by way of in-plane rotation around the approximate centerof the cross key means 0102. The button changing means 0106 isconfigured to change the arrangement of the plurality of buttons by wayof in-plane rotation around the approximate center of the plurality ofbuttons. The analog stick means 0104 is operated by way of the directionin which the stick is inclined so as to perform input in any directionthrough 360°, around a neutral position, which is a no-operationposition, and the arrangement changing part comprises a standingorientation changing means that changes the standing orientation of thestick in the neutral position, which is the no-operation position, withrespect to the main body 0101.

The plurality of arrangement changing parts (0105, 0106, 0107) havearrangement changing functions, which serve to change the arrangementsof the plurality of operational input parts (0102,0103,0104) withrespect to the main body 0101, so as to suit the hands of the playercarrying out the game. Specifically, the arrangement changing parts(0105, 0106, 0107) allows the player to manually change the arrangementof the operational input means (for example, a cross key, variousbuttons, an analog stick or the like) which are arranged on a controllerfor playing a game with a game console, to an arbitrary arrangement.

The cross changing means 0105 has a function whereby the positions ofthe top, bottom, left and right pushing operations for the cross keymeans 0102 can be changed by way of in-plane rotation around theapproximate center of the cross key means 0102. Specifically, togetherwith a structure that allows for free in-plane rotation around an axisat the center of the cross key means 0102, a stopper is provided forfixing the cross key means 0102 in place. Thus, the arrangement of thecross key means 0102 can be changed by way of in-plane rotation of thecross key means 0102 and fixing the cross key means 0102 in place usingthe stopper.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating anexample of adjusting the angle of a cross means on the game consolecontroller in accordance with the first mode of embodiment. FIG. 3Bshows a characteristic portion of the internal structure of the crosschanging means 0106 in accordance with the first mode of embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 3B, the cross changing means 0105 allows for in-planerotation of the cross key means 0102, by providing a structure 0308 forrotating the cross key means 0102 in-plane, and by providing a stopper309, for fixing the cross key means 0102 in place, on the left side ofthe controller. Consequently, when adjusting the cross key means 0102,in a situation in which the stopper is fixed in place (FIG. 3B (a)), theuser can use the stopper to release the lock and rotate the cross keymeans 0102 to an arbitrary angle (FIG. 3B (b)), and then once again fixthe cross key means 0102 in place, using the stopper (FIG. 3B (a)), soas to change the angle of the cross key means as shown in FIG. 3A.

The button changing means 0106 has a function that allows thearrangement of the buttons to be changed by rotating the button means0103 in-plane around the approximate center of the plurality of buttons.Specifically, together with a structure that allows for free in-planerotation around an axis at the center of the button means, a stopper isprovided for fixing the button means in place. Thus, the arrangement ofthe button means 0103 can be changed by way of in-plane rotation of thebutton means 0103, and fixing the button means 0103 in place using thestopper.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating the adjustment of the angleof a button means on the game console controller and FIG. 4B is aperspective view illustrating an example of a characteristic portion ofthe internal structure of a button changing means. As shown in FIG. 4B,the button changing means allow for in-plane rotation of the buttonmeans, by providing a structure 0410 for rotating the button means 0103in-plane, and by providing a stopper 0411, for fixing the buttonchanging means in place, on the right side of the controller.Consequently, when adjusting the button means, a situation appears whichthe stopper is fixed in place as shown in FIG. 4B (a), the user can usethe stopper to release the lock and a rotate the button means to anarbitrary angle FIG. 4B (b), and then once again fix the button means inplace, using the stopper FIG. 4B (a), so as to change the angle of thebutton means as shown in FIG. 4A.

The standing orientation changing means 0107 has a function for changingthe standing orientation of the stick, with respect to the main body, inthe position that is the no-operation position for the stick.Specifically, together with a structure that allows for changing theinclination of the analog stick means 0104, a stopper is provided forfixing the analog stick means 0104 in place. Thus, the inclination ofthe analog stick means 0104 can be changed by way of changing theinclination of the analog stick means 0104, and fixing the analog stickmeans 0104 in place using the stopper.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating an example of adjusting theangle of the standing orientation means 0107 on the game consolecontroller. FIG. 5B shows a perspective view and a characteristicportion of the internal structure of a standing orientation changingmeans in the game console controller in accordance with the first modeof embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5B (a), the analog stick means 0104 ofthe controller in this mode of embodiment are connected to thecontroller main body 0101 by way of a rotational shaft 0512, and astopper 0513 that serves to fix in place the analog stick means 0104,which rotates around the rotational shaft, is provided on the back side(FIG. 5B (a)) of the analog stick means (sectional views: 5B (b), (c)).Consequently, when changing the inclination of the analog stick means0104, the player can use the stopper to release the lock and a rotatethe analog stick means 0104 to an arbitrary inclination (FIG. 5B (b)),and then once again fix the analog stick means 0104 in place, using thestopper. Consequently, it is possible to change the standing orientationof the analog stick means as shown in FIG. 5A.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the game console controller can be applied to any inputinterface operational input part provided on any game controller.Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except asby the appended claims.

1. A game console controller for controlling a game by a player, thegame console controller comprising: a main body configured to be held bythe player; a plurality of operational input parts arranged on the mainbody; and a plurality of arrangement changing parts for changing thearrangement of the plurality of operational input parts; whereby theplurality of operational input parts and the plurality of arrangementchanging parts are configured to adjust keys and key angles of the gameconsole controller to provide an ease of use to the player.
 2. The gameconsole controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of operational inputmeans comprises a cross key means, a button means and an analog stickmeans.
 3. The game console controller of claim 2 wherein the cross keymeans is configured to generate operation information in the up, down,left and right cross key directions.
 4. The game console controller ofclaim 2 wherein the button means consists of a plurality of buttons togenerate operational information.
 5. The game console controller ofclaim 2 wherein the analog stick means is configured for directionspecifying operations.
 6. The game console controller of claim 1 whereinthe plurality of operational input parts is configured to be operated bya finger of the player.
 7. The game console controller of claim 1wherein the plurality of arrangement changing parts comprises a crosschanging means, a button changing means and a standing orientationchanging means.
 8. The game console controller of claim 7 wherein thecross changing means is configured to change the positions of the top,bottom, left and right pushing operations of the cross key means.
 9. Thegame console controller of claim 7 wherein the button changing means isconfigured to change the arrangement of the plurality of buttons byin-plane rotation around approximate center of the plurality of buttons.10. The game console controller of claim 7 wherein the standingorientation changing means is configured to change the standingorientation of the analog stick means utilizing a stopper.
 11. The gameconsole controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of arrangementchanging parts is configured with respect to the main body so as to suitthe hands of the player.
 12. A game console controller for controlling agame by a player, the game console controller comprising: a main bodyconfigured to be held by the player; a plurality of operational inputparts arranged on the main body; the plurality of operational inputparts comprises a cross key means, a button means and an analog stickmeans; and a plurality of arrangement changing parts having a crosschanging means, a button changing means and a standing orientationchanging means, the plurality of arrangement changing parts beingconfigured to change the arrangement of the plurality of operationalinput parts; whereby the plurality of operational input parts and theplurality of arrangement changing parts are configured to adjust keysand key angles of the game console controller to provide an ease of useto the player.
 13. The game console controller of claim 12 wherein theplurality of operational input parts is configured to be operated by afinger of the player.
 14. The game console controller of claim 12wherein the cross key means is configured to generate operationinformation in the up, down, left and right cross key directions. 15.The game console controller of claim 12 wherein the button meansconsists of a plurality of buttons to generate operational information.16. The game console controller of claim 12 wherein the analog stickmeans is configured for direction specifying operations.
 17. The gameconsole controller of claim 13 wherein the plurality of arrangementchanging parts is configured with respect to the main body so as to suitthe hands of the player.